Tierable and end-nestable receptacles



Oct. 10, 1961 w. H. LOCKWOOD 3,003,647

TIERABLE AND END-NESTABLE RECEPTACLES Filed Aug. 5, 1960 13 Sheets-Sheet i INVENTOR.

WARREN H. LOCK WOOD ATTORNEYS Oct. 1 6 w. H. LOCKWOOD 3,003,647

TIERABLE AND END-NESTABLE RECEPTACLES IN V EN TOR.

WAfEE/V H. LOC/(WOOQ ATTOE/VEYS Oct. 10, 1961 w. H. LOCKWOOD 3,

TIERABLE AND END-NESTABLE RECEPTACLES Filed Aug. 3, 1960 15 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

WA2N H. LocKWw A770 A/EYS Oct. 10, 1961 Filed Aug. 5, 1960 W. H. LOCKWOOD TIERABLE AND END-NESTABLE RECEPTACLES Sheets-Sheet 5 zee INVEN TOR.

WAEEE/V fl- 1 OCKWOOD ATTOENEYS Oct. 10, 1961 Filed Aug. 3, 1960 w. H. LOCKWOOD 3,003,647

TIERABLE AND END-NESTABLE RECEPTACLES 13 Sheets-Sheet 6 :jla INVENTOR WARREN l-l- LOCKWGD Oct. 10, 1961 w. H. LOCKWOOD 3,003,647

TIERABLE AND END-NESTABLE RECEPTACLES Filed Aug. 3, 1960 13 Sheets-Sheet 7 WAEEEN H- LUCA W000 ATTORNEYS Oct. 10, 1961 W. H. LOCKWQOD TIERABLE AND END-NESTABLE RECEPTACLES l3 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Aug. 3, 1960 IN V EN TOR. WA BEEN H. LOCKWOOD wmm mm .5 Qmm ATTORNEYS R w MQV Oct. 10, 1961 w. H. LocKwooD TIERABLE AND END-NESTABLE RECEPTACLES 13 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Aug. 3, 1960 mvm INVENTOR. WARE! ll. LOCAWWD Oct. 10, 1961 w. H. LocKwooD 3,003,647

TIERABLE AND END-NESTABLE RECEPTACLES Filed Aug. 3. 1960 13 Sheets-Sheet l2 4 INVENTOR. W/mfiEA/ ft 10 c/rwaaa @ikah/Q M United States Patent TIERABLE AND RECEPTACLES Warren H, Lockwood, 1329 Granvia Altamira,

Palos Verdes Estates, Calif. 7 Filed Aug. 3, 1960, Ser. No. 47,220 49 Claims. (Cl. 211- 125 This invention "relates'to improvements in'trays or receptacles, and more particularly 'to that type adapted to be tiered when in usean'd to be nested when empty. 7

This application is a'continuation-in-part application of my copending United States pat nt application Serial No. 790,432, filed'FebfuaiY'Z, 1 959,110! abandoned, and entitled Tierable and End-Nestable Receptacles? 7 7 Whenever in the specification and claims these'trays or receptacles are referred to as trays, it is intended that this term includes crates, boxes, baskets, trays, skids,

pallets, flats, and similar receptacles or article carrying devices which may be" stacked one upon another when in use and neshed when empty forconse'rvation of space.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a tray adapted to be tiered with like trays and adapted to be end nested with like trays when empty to conserve space. i

A further object of the present invention is to provide like trays adapted to be tiered atleas't some of the opposite sides of the horizontal perimeter outlines "of the trays respectively ine'ither' vertical alignment or in vertically stepped alignment.

A further object of the present" invention is 'to provide like trays adapted tojbe .end"ne'sted with at least Other features of this invention reside in the arrangemeat and design 'o'f'the parts for carrying .out their appropriate functions. l f f Y Other objects and advantages of .this invention'will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and "description and the essential features will be set forth in the appended claims; 1 V. t.

In the drawings, v

FIG. 1 is a perspective viewrofone form of tray taken from a point above and toone side ofthe tray;

FIG. 2 is a perspective viewoi the bottom of the tray in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective viewof threeit 'ays. of FIGS. 1 and 2 end nested and a foutrh like tray entering the clearway of the other three. trays as it moved toward the right and toward end nested position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of four trays of the type shown. inv FIG. 1 inendnested-position; FIG. 4a is afront view of FIG..4;.

FIG. 4b is front ,view of..the, first tray. formin FIG. 4a but with a strip attached to each. of its cleats toform corresponding cleats of greater vertical. height so that each tray in FIG. 4a is, a subcombination of each tray in FIG. 4b; 1

FIG. 4c is a vertical sectional view taken generally alongthe line 4c.- 4c in FIG. 4bshowing an enlarged sectional view of this cleat construction; f"

FIG, 5 is a vertical sectional view of "two like trays, as shown. inv FIG. I, with these trays in one tiered position;

"ice

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the two liketrays in- FIG'. 5 in another tiered position;

FIG.. 7 is a side-elevational view of a second tray form;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the backside portion ofthe tray in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the second tray formof FIG. 7; i

FIG}- 10 is a side elevational view of three like trays of the-second form in end nested position;

FIG. 11 is-an end elevational view of the nested traysin FIG; 1Q takenfrom the left-hand side. of'FIG. 5'10 looking toward the right;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of two like trays of the second form in one tiered position; FIG. 13 is an end elevational view of the trays in FIG. '12 taken looking toward the right at the left end of the traysin FIG, 12;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of thetw'o like trays in FIG. 1 2 in another tiered position; FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of a third'ti'ay form; FIG. 16 is a front elevatonal view-of a tray of FIG. :15; FIG. 17 is a top plan view of thetrayof FIG. 15; I FIG. 17a is a perspective view or" a section through the front lower edge looking at the left side of the two top tiered trays in FIG. 18; FIG. 18 is a sideelevational view oftour like trays oi the third tray form of FIG. 15 with the lower three trays in end nestedposition and with the top twotrays in tiered position;

FIG. 19 is a front. elevatioanl view .of thefountrays of FIG. 18;

20 is a side elevational view of afourth tray form;

FIG. 21 is al frontv elevational view of the tray of FIG. 20'; .7 FIG. 22 is a top plan view of thentray of FIG. 20;

' FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of two. trays of the fourthtray form in tiered relationship;

.FIG. 24 is a front elevational view of ,thetraysoi FIG..23; '7

FIG. 25 is aside elevational view of six trays of the fourth tray form in end nestedrelationship;

FIG. 26 is a front elevational view of the traysoi FIG. 25;v I

FIG. 27 is a side. elevational view adapted to support opposite sides of the fourth tray form of FIG. 21 but with only the left hand tray support shown inFIG. 27; r 1

FIG- 28 is a side elevational view of the overlap-of the back and front side portions of adjacent trays supported in end vto end relationship by the, structure of. FIG. 27; I g FIG. 29 is a perspectiveview of a fifth tray form;

FIG. 30 is a front perspectiveview of thetray of FIG. 29; i

FIG. 31 is a top plan view of the tray of 7 FIG. 32 is a side elevational view of two like trays of.

the fifth form shown in solid line in one tiered position and with the upper tray: shown in dot-dashliHe.-PQsi.tion. after being swung clockwiseabout the horizontal, transverse pivot axis at the top and frontportion. (atupper; right end) of the lower tray;

FIG- 33 is a perspective view of .a portion of thetieredtrays in FIG. 32; s

FIG. 34 is a side elevational view of three like trays;

of the fifth form shown in FIGS; 29 and 32- Wit;h these.

trays being shown in another tiered position and having the trays ,raised.slightly in the rear by a suitable support;

for display purposes;

FIG. 35 is a side elevational view of three like trays of a va a PO? of the fifth form in FIG. 29 with the lower two trays in end nested position and the upper tray entering the clearway of the other two trays and is being moved toward the left toward end nested position;

'FIG. 36 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the tray construction at the lower right-hand portion of the lower tray in FIG. 32; while FIG. 37 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the tray construction at the lower right-hand portion of the lower tray in FIG. 32.

Before the trays here illustrated are specifically d escribed, it is to be understood that the invention here involved is not limited to the structural details or arrange ment of parts here shown since trays embodying the present invention may take various forms. It also is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein employed is for purposes of description and not of limitation since the scope of the present invention is denoted by the appended claims.

Five major tray forms are shown with the first tray form in FIGS. 1-6, the second form in FIGS. 7-14, the third form in FIGS. 15-19, the fourth form in FIGS. 20- 28, and the fifth form in FIGS. 29-37. All five forms have generic features in common. In each tray form, the tray has a bottom portion for supporting articles, has upper and lower tiering support portions for holding like .trays in tray supporting tiered relationship, and has an open side portion forming the entrance to a horizontally extending clearway to receivelike trays in a nested position by horizontally inserting said like trays through said open side portion and clearway'by end nesting.

The first form of the invention is shown as tray 30 in FIGS. 1-6. This tray includes bottom portion 31, left side portion 32, right side portion 33, open end or open side portion 34, back side portion 35, and open top portion 36. The horizontal perimeter outline (outline of tray in top view) includes two opposite sides 42 and 43, and two additional opposite sides 44 and 45 (front and back) at 90 degrees to sides 42 and 43. To aid in describingshereinafter the tiering and end nesting operations, there has been designated, on tray 30, leading end 31a of bottom portion 31; lower tiering support portions or means 37 carried by bottom portion 31; upper tiering support portions or means 38 carried by some of the up-. wardly extending side portions 32, 33 and 35; and clearway 39 extending through open side portion 34, straddled by side portions 32vand 33 and extending to back portion 35.

Bottom portion 31 includes side members 52, 53 and 55 respectively secured together and secured to a bottom wall 54 composed of a solid panel or a plurality of board strips arranged in floor like formation.

A U-shape top member 58 is provided with a back portion 58a and parallel side portions 58b and 580.

' Tray side portions 32 and 33 include inclined front side strut 60 secured at opposite ends to member 52 and portion 580; and strut 61 secured to member 53 and portion 58b.

Back side portion 35 includes inclined struts 62, 63, 64 and 65 each secured at opposite ends to portion 58a and member 55 with these struts in coplanar relationship to provide a flat back portion.

Lower tiering support portion 37 includes the bottom surface of panel member 54 in FIG. 2 and includes four spaced apart cleats 66, 67, 68 and 69 secured to the bottom surface of bottom portion 31 and arranged in two spaced apart parallel lines with one line formed by cleats 66 and 68 and the other line formed by cleats 67 and 69. The spaces 70 and 71 between the two cleats in each parallel line are equal in FIG. 2 and each of these distances is slightly greater than each of the equal dimensions 58d and 58e between parallel opposite surfaces on member 58 with which they coact during stacking or tiering of the trays, as shown in FIGS. and 6 to prevent front to back movement of the top tray in FIGS. 5 and v v i i n v l 6 and in the reverse direction in-FIG. 6. The transverse dimension in FIG. 411 between the outer edges of these cleats in these two lines is slightly less than the transverse spacing between the inner sides of rail members 42 and 43 so as to slidably fit in the manner shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 to prevent relative lateral movement of tiered trays.

Although tray 30 may be made of any suitable ma- 7 terial, a satisfactory tray is obtained when members nested stack, and FIG. 4b shows the trays in a continuously nested stack. Trays in FIG. 4b are identical to trays 30 in FIGS. l-4a except that the c0rrespending cleats in FIG. 4b, such as cleat 67 in FIG. 4!) corresponding to cleat 67 in FIG. 4a and formed by strip 75 detachably secured to cleat 67 by two or more screws 76 shown in FIG. 40, are of greater vertical height than cleats 66, 67, 68 and 69 of FIGS. 2 and 4a but all cleats in FIG. 4b are of the same height and formed by adding a similar strip. Hence, each tray 30 is merely a subcomb'mation of tray 30' formed after removal of strips 75.

The second form of the invention is shown as tray 130 in FIGS. 7-14. This tray includes bottom portion 131, left side portion 132, right side portion 133, open end or open side p ortion 134, back side portion 135,

and open top portion 136. The horizontal perimeter outlines include in tray top'view two opposite sides 142 and 143, and two additional opposite sides 144 and 145 (front and back) related at 90 degrees to sides 142 and 143. To aid in describing hereinafter the tiering and end nesting operations, there has been designated, on tray 130, leading end 131a of bottom portion 131; lower tiering support portions or means 137 carried by bottom portion 131; upper tiering support portions or means 138 carried by some of the upwardly extending side portions 132, 133 and 135; and clearway .139 extending through open side portion 134, straddled by side portions 132 and 133 and extending to back portion 135.

Bottom portion 131' includes a generally square top frame 152 and a bottom frame 151 generally square in shape and corresponding to the square shape of frame 151 but having two rearwardly extending ears 151a at the top of FIG. 9. A plurality of spaced, longitudinally between these frames 151 and 152' with each bar 153 1 having its opposite ends turned up at 153a secured to the peripheral surface of frame 152, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. A plurality of tranversely extending bars 154 are arranged in spaced apart relationship with each having a straight middle portion 154b coplanar with frame 151 and having opposite ends 154a turned up, located between corresponding sides of frames 151 and 152, and secured to each of these frames.

Left and right side portions 132 and 133 and back side portion 135 include two symmetrical members 155 arranged one each on the left and right hand sides of the tray 13%) and include two parallel members 153. Each member 155 has a horizontally extending top portion 1550 having spaced apart notches or detents 155a therein and a back member portion 15512 extending downwardly with its lower end secured to the back edges of frames on each side by 'two parallel inclined members 160 and 160 secured at spaced apart points to edges of frames 151 and 152, to members 158, and to portion C. Four parallel members 161 in each side portion 132 or 133 secured to portions 153a and 1550 to tie them to gether. a a 4 It should be readily apparent that in each side portion, parallel members 158 may be readily replaced by a single member and parallel members 160 may be readily replaced by a single member of suflicient size. The parallel member construction illustrated has been found de- 'sirable to give the satisfactory strength required.

Back side portion 135 is completed by inclined members 162 with each secured at its upper end to portions i580 and at its lower end to outer surface of frames 151 and 152. 7

Upper tiering support portion 138 has a plurality of detents 1555.: opening vertically upwardly away from bars 154 on the tray in FIG. 7 so as to straddle bars 154 on a. tiered upper like tray, as shown in FIG. 12. Lower tiering support portions have a plurality of rod-like wire bar portions 1541') of bars 154 and left and right side portionsof. frame 151. Detents- 155a in portions 1550 in both side portions 132 and 133 are transversely aligned along lines extending parallel to the transversely extending bar portions 15417. The coaction of bar portions 154k and detents 155a support like trays verticallyand against front to rear movement. Parallel left and right side members of frame 151 in the upper tray straddle parallel portions 1550 in the lower tray in FIG. 13 to prevent relative lateral movement between the tiered tra s.

The trays are constructed for easy tiering engagement. The distance A in the hor zontal direction between detents 155a in FIG. 7 and between bar portions 154i; is equal so t hat tray tiering relationships in FIGS. 12 and 14 may be easily established. However, the distance B in FIG. 7 is different from, and preferably greater than, distance A. The distance B is the horizontal dimension between rod-like wire bar portion 151b on either ear 151a, which serves as one of the lower support portions, and the first bar portion 1541; on the right in FIG. 7 .so that this distance B is the distance between the two lower tiering support portions closest to the leading end 131a of bottom portion 131. As will be more apparent hereinafter when the method of tiering like trays 131 is described, this difierence in distances A and B serves a useful function. if the upper tray 130 in FIG. 12 or '14 is disengaged and is located upwardly and to the left of the lower tray shown in these figures, the lower right end of the upper tray may be placed upon the parallel portions 155a of the lower tray, which serve as coplanar surfaces connecting the upper tiering support detents 155a. Then, if the lower right end of the upper tray is slid to the right in tiering direction T with its'leading end 131a on portions 155a of the lower tray and into the tiered position shown in FIGS. 12 or 14, these two rod-like bar portions 15117 and the first bar portion IS-4b located closest to the leading end 1310. will not both engage simultaneously in spaced apart detents 1550 to impede the travel in direction T to tiered position.

The component members, frames, bars and portions of tray tea are made of wire and may be secured together in any suitable manner, but preferably by welding them together.

The third for-m of the invention is shown as tray 230 in FIGS. 15-19. This tray includes bottom portion 231, left side portion 232, right side portion 233, open end or open side portion 234, back side portion 235, and open top portion 236. The horizontal perimeter outlines includes in tray top view two opposite sides 242 and 243, and two additional opposite sides 244 and 245 (front and back) related at 90 degrees to sides 242 and 243. To aid in describing hereinafter the tiering and end nesting operations, there has been designated, on tray 23%), leading' end 231a of bottom portion 231; lower tiering support portions or means 237 carried by bottom portion 231; upper tiering support portions or means 238 carried by some of the upwardly extending side portions 232, 233

' 5 and235; and -clearway:239 extending through open side portion 234, straddled by side portions 232 and 233 and extending to back portion 235. 1

Bottom portion 231 includes three, spaced apart, longitudinally extending members 251, 252 and 253 in FIG. 16 having secured in bridging relationship to their upper surfaces a plurality of board members 254 to form a flat platform surface. It should be readily understood that a solid panel could be substituted in place of the plurality of board members 254. Transversely extending bottom members 255, 255 and 257 are spaced longitudinally apart and are secured to the longitudinal members 251, 252 and 253. A U-shaped metal strap member 2 59 is secured around the back end of this assembly and top and bottom L-shaped strap members 260 and261 are secured at the front end of this assembly to the front end board member 254 and to bottom member 255 by through rivets or other suitable fastening means. Members 251, 252, 253, 254,- 256 and 257 are wood members secured together in any suitable manner, and preferably by nails.

The aforesaid bottomportion 231 is easily made by the conversion of a conventional wood pallet or fiat used for article handling and storage.

Left and right side portions 232 and 233 and back side portions 235 include interconnected angle irons secured together in any suitable manner, such as by welding. Here, two parallel back members 252 and 263'are welded or otherwise secured at their lower ends to strapmember 259. Two parallel front members 264 and 265 are similarly secured to strap members 26b and 261;. Two parallel top members 266 and 267 are secured respectively at their forward ends to front members 264 and265and are connected at their rear ends by back top member-268 secured in turn to the tops of backmembers 262 and 263. FIGS. 15 and 16 indicate the orientation of theseme bers. Back members 262 and 263 extend vertically to, and top members 266 and 267 extend parallel to, the plane formed by the board members 254 while front members 264 and 265 are inclined in FIG. 15 slightly upwardly and to the rear of a perpendicular from this plane. The inclination to the perpendicular is shown by the dimension C in FIG. 15. Satisfactory results have been obtained when dimension C is two inches in a 39 inch length of member 264 or 265. In the offset nesting of FIG. 18, it is thus easier to arrange the front members 264 and 2 65 more nearly vertical.

Lower and upper tiering support portions 237 and 238 are clearly shown in FIGS. 15-19. Upper tier'ing support portions 233 include parallel flanged members 266 and 267 and members 264 and 265 at the top of the tray, and lower tiering support portions 237 include portions of strap members 255, 261, of bottom members 255, 256 and 257, and of the bottom of members 264 and 265. The top tray 23% in *IGS. 17a, 18 and 19 is supported vertically by horizontal extending flanges 266a and 267a of top members 266 and 267 located below and supporting vertically coplanar bottom strap portions 259a and 261a of straps 259 and 2&1. The transverse or lateral'dimensions of the tray 23% are such that the left and right ends are respectively coplanar in FIG. 16 of members 252, 253, 255, 256, 257 and 259a and of notch 26112 in member 261a behind member 264 in FIG. 17a so that these coplanar ends on the upper tray 230 will bear against side flange surfaces 2665 and 26% of top members 266 and 267 on the lower tray 23% to assure these tiered like trays against lateral relative movement in FIG. 19. Bottom back edge of members 264 and 265 on the upper tray abuts in FIGS. 17a and 18 against the top front edge of members 264 and 255 on the lower trayto prevent front to back relative movement between the trays in at least one direction in tiered relationship.

The fourth form of the invention is shown as tray 330 in FIGS. 20-28. This tray includes bottom portion 331, left side portion 332, right side portion 333, open end-or open side portion 334, back side portion 335, and open attest;

7 V i 7 top portion 336. The horizontal perimeter outlines include in tray top view two opposite sides 342 and 343, and two additional opposite sides 344 and 345 (front and back) related at 90 degrees to sides 342 and 343. To aid in describing hereinafter the tiering and end nesting operations, there has been designated on tray 33s leading end 331a of bottom portion 331; lower tiering support portions or means 337 carried by bottom portion 331; upper tiering support portions or means 338 carried by some of the upwardly extending side portions 332, 333 and 335; and clearway 339 extending through open side portion 334, straddled by side portions 332 and 333 and extending to back portion 335.

Tray 330 is made of wire members secured together in any suitable manner with this securement preferably being by welding.

Bottom portion 331 has in FlGS. -22 a plurality of spaced apart longitudinally extending bar members 351 secured at their intersections to a plurality of spaced apart transversely extending bar members 353. Left and right side members 354 are provided and extend parallel in the longitudinal direction with each including a straight portion 354a and a bent front end 3545. Bar members 353 have opposite ends 353a upwardly bent and secured to straight portions 354a.

Bottom portion 331, left side portion 332, right side portion 333 and back side portion 335 have a plurality of interconnected wire members includingmembers 354. An endless framing member 356, symmetrical about a vertical center line in FIG. 22, is bent in portions including a transversely extending front portion 355a; parallel inclined front edge portion 3561b; transversely extending coaxial rod portion 356e, parallel longitudinally extending front side portions 356d, front depressed portion 356e, rear side portion 356), and rear depressed portion 356g; diagonally extending rear portion 356 and a transversely extending rear portion 356k extending parallel to front edge portion 356a. Bent ends 3541: are secured to front edge portion 3556b. Of the two members 358, each has longitudinally extending bottom portion 358a secured at its lower end in FR 22 to front edge portion 356a, a downwardly facing detent or notch 358d, a longitudinally extending rear bottom portion 358a, and an inclined back portion 35%. Of the three inside bottom members, 359, each has a longitudinally extending bottom portion 359a having its front end secured to edge portion 356:: and having a back portion 35%. The upper ends of back portions 358]; and 35917 are secured to rear portions 356 and 355k respectively, as shown in FIG. 21. Longitudinally extending bottom portions 358a, 3580 and 359a are secured to transversely extending bar members 353.

Lower and upper tiering support portions 337 and 333 are shown in FIGS. 2044. These provide for like trays 330 vertical support, lateral support and prevention of front to rear thrust movement. These functions are provided by having the rod-like wire bar portions 3556 of the lower tray straddled by detents 358d of the upper tray with this bar portion 3560 being part of the upper tiering support portion 338, and detent 358d being part of the lower tiering support portion 337; rear longitudinally extending portion 3580 on the upper tray straddling portions 356d, 356e, 35nf and 3563 of the lower tray; and bar members 353 in FIG. 23 straddling the right end of portion 356d and the opposite ends of portion 355 in FIGS. 20 and 23.

This continuous wire bar 356 forms by suitable bends the top boundaries (portions 3560, 356d, 356e, 356 and 356g) of the side parts; upwardly bent portions 355 3560 and 356d in these top boundaries; bottom edges 356a and 356k of the bottom part; sloping ends 35617 and 356 of the side parts. Eyelets are formed in the bottom part to receive the upwardly bent portions 356e, 356d and 356 in tiered position in FIGS. 23 and 24 with these! eyelets being formed by bottom portions 358e, 353, 351 and 358d.

The fifth form of the invention is shown as tray 530 in FIGS. 29-37. This tray includes bottom portion 531, left side portion 532, right side portion 533, open end or open side portion 534, back side portion 535, and open topportion 536. The horizontal perimeter outlines include in tray top view two opposite sides 542 and 543, and two additional opposite sides 544 and 54-5 (front and back) related at degrees to sides 542 and 54-3. To aid in describing hereinafter the tiering and end nesting operations, there has been designated on tra 539 leading end 531a of bottom portion 531; lowver tiering supportrportions or means 537 carried by bottom portion 531; upper tiering support portions or means 538 carried by some of the upwardly extending side portions 532, 533 and 535; and clear-way 539' extending through open side portion 534, straddled by side portions 532 and 533 and extending to back portion 535.

Tray 539 is made of wire members secured together in any suitable manner with this securement preferably being by welding.

Bottom portion 531 has in FIGS. 29-3-l a plurality of spaced apart longitudinally extending bar members 551 secured at their intersections to a plurality of spaced apart transversely extending .bar members 553. Left and right side members 554 are provided and extend parallel in the longitudinal direction with each including a straight portion 554:! having bend 554d therein, a bent front end 55417, and bent rear end portion 554c. Each member 553 has opposite ends 553a upwardly bent and secured to straight portions 554a, straight portion 5535, and offset bar members or portions 553s between each end 553a and center or straight portion 5531).

A plurality of retainers 561, each of inverted generally U or L shape, has their ends rigidly secured by welding to bar portion 556a or 556k to be rigid with bottom portion 531.

Trays 539 may take several slightly different forms identical in structure except for the following slight variations: (1) two bar members 553 straddling detents 558d in the form shown at right-hand end in HS. 29, (2) a vertically extending connecting bar 570 for each detent 553d in FIG. 36 with each bar 579 welded at its respective top and bottom ends to detent 558d and portion 554a, or (3) a bar 553 to the left of detent 558d in H6. 37 but no bar 553 to the right of detent 558a.

Bottom portion 5-31, left side portion 532, right side portion 533 and back side portion 535 have a plurality of interconnected wire members, including members 554. An endless framing member 556, symmetrical about a horizontal center line in FIG. 31, is bent in portions including a transversely extending front portion 556a; parallel inclined front edge portion 5565; transversely extending coaxial rod portion 556e, parallel longitudinally extending front side portions 556e, front bent portion 556d, rear inclined side portion 556), and rear notch portion 556g in horizontal portion 556h; diagonally extending rear portion 556 and a transversely extending rear portion 556k extending parallel to front edge portion 556a. Bent ends 5541) are secured to front edge portion 555]). Of the two members 553, each has longitudinally extending bottom portion 558a secured at its front end in FIG. 29 to front edge portion 5560, a downwardly facing detent or notch 5580?, a longitudinally extending rear bottom portion 558a, and an inclined back portion 558]). The rear ends of portions 55% and 554s are secured to rear portions 556 and 558i) respectively, as shown in FIG. 29. Longitudinally extending bottom portions 558a and 5580 are secured to transversely extending bar members 553.

Lower and upper tiering support portions 537 and 538 are shown in FIGS. 29 and 39. These provide for like trays 530 vertical support, lateral support and prevention of front to rear thrust movement. In one tiering position (in FIGS. 32 and 33), these functions are pro- Vided by having the rod-like wire bar portions 5560 of the length, as shown in FIG. 21.

, lower tray straddled by detents 558:! of the uppertray f withi each bar portion 555C being part of uppeftiering support portion 538, and witit'ea'ch detent 558d being part of lower tiering support portion 537; rear longitudinally extending portion 5530 on the upper tray straddling'portions 556d, 5562, 556 and 5561i on theloweftray; and bar members 5530 on the bar member 553 (closest portion 556k) resting in notch portions 556gin FIG. 32. gin another tiering position (in FIG. 34) these, illnctions are provided by having bar portions 5562 (adjacent por tions 556d) of the lower tray supporting barportion 1556a of the upper tray with these portions being respectively parts of the upper tiering support portion 538 and the lower tiering support portion "7; rear longitudinally extending portions 558c on the upper t-Ia'y Straddling portions 5552, 556; and 556% of the lower" tray; and bar members 5530 on one of the other bar members 553 of l the :upper tray resting notch p'ortioiis 556g of the lower i tray in FIG. '34.

' FIGS.' 27 and 28 show tray 33$ mounted in vertical slides in a delivery truck" Two parallel, vertically er.-

tending, horizontally spaced apart stanchions 401 may be mounted in the truck body (only one being shown in FIG. 27 with this shown as engaging the left side of tray 33% in FIG. 21 because the vertical stanchion for supporting the right side of the tray in FIG. 2l isthe mirror image of the one shown in-FIG. 27). "These stanchions have two horizontally alignedlower angle slides 4&3 and two horizontally aligned upp'er'angle slides 4&5 .for each tray 33% with these four slides arranged in groups,

as shown in FiG. 27, to support a tray 33%. "Additional groups of these slides may be arranged in vertically spaced relationship on the vertical stanchions llll "to 'slidably support additional trays'in vertical alignment. Eachslide 403 or 405 has a uniform cross section throughoutits .,length and its length is substantially equal tothe length" of any integral number of trays 330, such as one, two, etc.

I to be supported. Each slide is made of perforated rolled edge strip stocir for cleanliness and light weight. These jslides 493 and 4% have respectively mounting flanges, 403a and 455a for securement to the vertical stanchions" 4fi1 and retaining flanges 40312 and 49512 for coacting in a retaining manner with longitudinally extending members or portions 358a and 358s and with members'or portions 356d, 356e, 356; and 356g.

' The other tray forms in FIGS. 1 to 19 and 29-37 have similar members or portions adapted to coact in a similar manner with retaining'flange 4493b and/or 46511. a For example, see cleats 66, 67, 68 and 69 in FIG. 2'; portions j 151 and 1550 in FIGS. 7 and 8; fiange faces 26611 and 26717 in FIG. 16; and portions 55 811, 5580, 556d, 5 6e,

[1556f and 556h in FIGS. 29-31.

When two or more trays are in abutting back to front relationship between one group of lower and upper slides 46?: and 465, the trays 330 will have the backand front. side portions overlapped to minimize the front to back overall dimension, as shown in FIG. 28, because front edge portion 356a of one tray may be located under the 7' rear portion 355]: of another tray since they are vertically spaced apart and portion 356k is of shorter transverse All of these four forms of trays 30, 130, 230, 330 and 530 have in common generic structural and operational features. Each is a tierable and end-nestable tray having no moving parts but being of 'rigid'construction. Each could be made of angle iron, angle iron andwood, metal wire, aluminum, magnesium, cast aluminum, sheetmetal,

plastic, or any other material or construction embodying "the principles set forth herein- The side portions and bottom portion of each tray may be substantially solid or of open construction, as desired, or the invention may be applied to trays having almost no sideiportionsexcept trays would remove the'weight from the merchandise ing can be effected while the pallet is in aho rizontal position parallel to the floor. Each tray maybem'a de in' dimensional multiples whichwould fit in the inside Width of trucks in even multiples with minimum wasted space. Each tray may be used as a warehouse shelf in a warehouse, an order makeup rack, shipping rack in a transport truck, inventory storage rack in the back room of a'super market, and/or a display rack in a sales area. Trays 30, 130, 239, 330 and 530 have generic structure respectively comprising tray boundary means including bottom means, parts or portions 31, .131, 231, 331 and 531 for supporting articles for display, transport or storage with said bottom" portion rigidly interconnected with left side parts or portions 32, 132, 232, 332 and 532; right side parts or portions 33, 133', 233, 333 and 533; and back side portions 35, 135, 235, 335 and 53-5 serving'asupwardly extending means-leaving front open end sides '34,

134, 234, 334 and 534 located most remote'from'the back side portions. Intop view, the trays have horizontal perimeter outlines with two generally parallel opposite sides 42 and 43, 142 and 143, 242 and 243, 342 and "3'43, and 542 and 546 and have right-angularly related to these two recited opposite sides two additional opposite sides 44 and 45, 1'44 and 145, 244 and 245, 344mm 345, and 544 and 545. The traysinclude adjacent their 'top edges a plurality of upper tiering support portions 38, 133, 238-, 333 and dfidvertically spaced above lower tiering support portions 37, 137, 237, 331 and 537 'for holding like trays in tray supporting tiered relationship. t

Trays 3t 13%, 239, 330 and 530 are adapted to be tiered and end-nested with theirrespective like traysyas shown by the tiered positions in FIGS. 5 and 6-, I12 and 14, the upper twotrays in FIGS. '18 and 19, PIGSJZKand 24, and F168. 32, 33 and 34; and by the end-nested'relationships shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, l0 and 11, by the three lower trays in FIGS. 18 and 19, and by the trays in FIGS.

25 and 26 and in FIG. 35. These trays may be endnested and/ or stacked or tiered with a conventional fork lift truck since the nesting and stacking can be elfected while the bottom portions 3 1, 131, 23-1, 331 and 531 are in horizontal position parallel to the floor while supporting articles and do not have tobe tilted, and since'the tween vertically spaced bottom portions.

, is performed by moving from a tray disconnected position open tops 35, 136, 236, 33-5 and 536 provide clearance for any tray engagement member on the lift truckbe- Tray tiering an upper like tray relative to a lower like tray through a vertically lowering movementonto (or by a horizontal sliding movement in'tiering direction T across) the' top of the lower tray into tiered position or relationship. j Ita top tray slides'in direction T across a lower like tray, leading end 31a, 1310, 23la,331a or 531a of the upper tray advancesforemost. This tray tiered relationship may be disassembled and the upper tray may be moved into end-nesting relationship with the lower tray by moving the upper tray either horizontally in the reverse direction, with or without vertical upward movement, into a tray disconnected position with leading end 31a, 131a, 231a, 331a orSSla of the upper tray above and laterally out- Wardly' iromopen side 34, 134, 234, 334 or 534 at the entrance to clearWay39, 1'39, 239, 339 or 53?; moving the upper tray downwardly by a vertical lowering movement until the bottom portions of the trays are generally parallel with the bottom portion of the upper tray being uppermost; moving'horizontally endw-ise the bottom portion 31, 131, 23a, 33 or 531 of the upper tray, withle'ading end 31a, 131a, 2310;, 331a or 531a -forernost,'-hori- Zontally endwisefrom tray disconnected position td'one side of the lower tray in longitudinal nesting direction N parallel to thebottorn of the lower tray through the open 7 and then permitting this bottom portion to be released a with the lower tray, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 10, the

lower portions of FIGS. 18 and 19, FIGS. 25 and 26, and FIG. 35. This movement in direction N to in position and then release thereat may take either of two forms. First, the bottom portion of the upper tray may be spaced Well above and out of contact with the bottom portion of the lower tray during movement in nesting direction N to this in position and then may be released to fall by gravity to the nested position. Second, the bottom portion of the upper tray may slide across the bottom portion of the lower tray in direction N and then release in the in position to assume the nested position. Note that end-nesting is effected without any necessity of lifting the upper tray up and over the lower tray to a nesting position. Since stacking or tiering and end-nesting are efiected by horizontal and/ or vertical movements, a conventional lift truck can be used to perform all operations.

Now, it should be apparent that an upper tray may be moved in sliding contact with a lower like tray from above the bottom portion and outside the open side of the lower like tray by movement in a generally horizontal direction T or N (with sliding contact of suitable guide means on these like trays) into tiering or nesting position respectively. Each of these tray forms has suitable guide means (including longitudinally extending portions interengageable on vertically adjacent trays) to define the path of this generally horizontal movement T or N and to prevent substantial lateral relative movement of the trays with respect to this path. This guide means includes a guide rail extending smoothly on one of the trays from contiguous open side 34, 134, 234, 334 or 534 in direction N or P for smoothly guiding the movement of the upper tray until at least shortly before the tiered or nested position is reached. These longitudinally extending portions and guide rails include during movement in direction T: ,(1) in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6, portions 54, 66, 67, 68 and 63 on the upper tray, portions 581; and 58 on the lower tray, and guide rails 58!; and 58c on the upper tray; (2) in FIGS. 7, 8, l2 and 13, portions 153. and 154 on the upper tray, portions 155 and 1550 on the lower tray, and guide rails 1550; (3) in FIGS. 16-19, portions 252, 253, 255, 256, 257, 25% and 261a on the upper tray, portions 2660, 266b, 267a and 26721 on the lower tray, and guide rails 266a and 25Gb; (4) in FIGS. 20 26, portions 353, 358a and 3530 on the upper tray, portlons 356d, 356e, 3561 and 356g on the lower tray, and guide rails 356d and 356a; and (5) in FIGS. 29-35, portions 5530, 55812 (lower ends) and 5530 on the upper tray, portions 5560, 556a, 556a and 556 on the lower tray, and guide rails 556a. During movement into the nested position in direction N, these longitudinally extending portions and guide rails include: (1) in FIGS. 1, 2, 4a and 4b, portions 66, 67, 67', 6S and 69 on the upper tray, portions 52, 53 and 54 on the lower tray, and guide rails 52, 53 and 54; (2) in FIGS. 7-11, portions 151 and 1541) on the upper tray, portions 152 and 16!} on the lower tray, and guide rails 152; (3) in FIGS. 16-49, portions 259 and 261 on the upper tray, portions 254, 259, 260, 264, 265, etc. on the lower tray, and guide rails 254 and 260; (4) in FIGS. 20-26, portions 353, 353a and 3580 on the upper tray, portions 354, 354a and 356!) on the lower tray, and guide rails 354;. and (5) in FIGS. 29-31 and 35, portions 5530, 558a and 55 80 on the upper tray, portions 554a and 55Gb on the lower tray, and guide rails 554a.

In trays 138, 23%, 330 and 530, not only the bottoms (as described in the preceding paragraph) but also the tops of each upper tray is guided into nested position by suitable guides located at top of each side portion, as well as those previously described as located at the bot tom of each side portion. In FIGS. 8 and 11, portions 15515 on an upper tray are guided by portions 155c of a provide a desirable feature in all tray forms.

a lower tray; in FIGS. 16 and 19, portions 262 and 263 on an upper tray are guided by portions 266a and 267a of a lower tray; in FIGS. 21 and 26, portions 356 on an upper tray are guided by portions 355d, 356e, 3515f and 356g on a lower tray; and in FIGS. 30 and 35, portions 556 on an upper tray are guided on portions 5560!, 556e, 556f, 556g and 556k on a lower tray.

The guides mentioned in the preceding paragraphs During movement in direction N into nested position, each lower tray has its bottom portion vertically supporting and its side portions straddling and laterally guiding an upper like tray during movement through its clearway into nested position so that the tray user is provided with a guided action or feel for nesting while end nesting these trays.

Also, an inspection of FIGS. 29, 30 and 32 will reveal that the ofiset portions 5530 located at opposite ends of each transverse bar member 553 in the upper tray, will generally clear during movement in direction T the upwardly extending bumps in bends 5560! on the front end of the bottom tray to minimize interference with travel in direction T.

After smoothly traveling along the guide rail in direction T or N, the upper tray 33!) or 530 will be cammed into locked and tiered or nested position by suitable interlocking of its lock portions. Movement of trays 530 will be first discussed. During movement of tray 530 in FIG. 32 in direction T toward tiered position, bar portion 5530 on opposite ends of the left-hand bar 553 in PK 29 of the upper tray travels on guide rails 556:; on the lower tray, are canmed upwardly by camming surfaces 556] and are dropped as first lock portions downwardly into upwardly opening U-shaped detents 556g as second lock portions in the tiered position. Simultaneously, detents 5530. on the upper tray move downwardly over and interlock with bar portions 5560 on the lower tray, located contiguous to the open sides 534 of the trays. The actions occur by a simultaneous downward movement of all corners of the upper tray. When upper tray 530 is being moved in direction N in FIG. 35 toward nested position, transversely extending bar portions 5530 on the leftmost bar 553 in FIG. 29 on the upper tray are traveling on guide rails 554a of the tray therebelow. Then, these portions 5530 engage camming surfaces of humps 5540! to cam the uppertray upwardly and to drop these first lock portions 5530 downwardly behind second lock portions (including the left-hand surface of hump 554d in FIG. 35) into nested position to lock the trays in this nested position. Note that during the movement of the upper tray in direction N, this upper tray moves smoothly over rails 554a on the lower tray and does not encounter any camming action or travel interfering bump until bumps 554d are engaged just before the nested position is reached.

Trays 330 in FIGS. 2(]24 have a similar action. Upper tray 330 may alsobe moved smoothly into and then locked in tiered position. During movement in direction '1', the rightmost bar 353 on the upper tray in FIG. 20 slides smoothly over the guide rail portions 356d and 3560 in FIG. 20 on the upper tray, and is cammed up- Wardly by surface 356 Then, the two rightmost bars 353 on the upper may in FIG. 23 drop downwardly as first lock portions into telescoping relationship with the spaced apart end portions of bends 356 on the lower tray acting asse'cond lock portions on the lower tray to reach the locked and tiered position. In this tiered position, endwise movement'of the upper tray in the plane of the drawing in FIG. 23 is prevented by the two parallelbar portions 353 on the upper tray straddling the upwardly converging portions on opposite ends of portions 356 on the lower tray, and sidewise movement is prevented by having in straddling relationship parallel bar portions 3580 on the upper tray and center portions of bends 356 on the lowertrayas-straddling stop por- 'ti'ons.

7 -Now, it should be 'apparent'that upper tray 33%) in moving in direction T in F-IG. '23 and upper tray 539 in .on .an-upper tiered tray ,will straddle portions .155 on. a

top of the tray,sides;.portions 358a and 358s on an upper tray will straddle portions 356d, 3562 and 356 on a lower moving in direction T in FlG. 32 or in direction N in 5' tray in' FIGS;'201-24; and portions 5523c and 558d on an FIG. 35' each inelude'first lock portions (taking the form 7 upper tray will straddle portions 556d, 556e, 556],I556g of a bar'353'or 553'xtending transverse to the direction, and556hon a lower tray in FIGS. 29-34. '2

located below the load supporting surface of the bottom Second, articles on the bottom portion of an upper tray portion, and'cenagueus to the leading end) for engaging may be better displayed by pivotally raising the rear end the camrning surface 356 556f or 554d on the apof the upper tray, as shown in the dot-dash line position -proach side'of the tiered 'or nested position during m vein FIG. 32." This may also be done with tiered trays330 anent-in this dii'ection so that the upper tray is cammed in FIG. 23. 1111 each tiered group of trays, the tray tierupwar dly,--imdthenthe first lock portions or bar are ing means includes a pivot means (including bar portions I PP d y into locking l'slaticflship t at 356a on alowertray in notches 358d on an upper tray least a portion of the second locking portions 355 55d in FIGS. 21 and 23; and barrportions 556a on a lower or 5544 (takinsthemrmbf anurwardlv or dwmwardlv tray in notches558d on an upper tray in 1 165.29, and projecting loop) on' the lower tray to lock the trays in 32) interengageable on adjacent like trays in tiered relathe final nested 'o'r tiered position. This structure serves figilship SQ th tflthe upper of the adjacent trays is swinga latching iJ-Jilils Prvnt movement of the pper able relative, to ,,the adjacent lower like tray about an tray in adi'rection opposite to direction N 01 20 axis parallel to jthe tray bottom, extending coaxial with 11175011194713) forms, pl tray i tiered position the aforementioned', barportions, and extending perpenis locked against relative'movement'in all directions in a dicularly t th di ectio f nesting o ment N to er- -horizontal plane by interengagement 'of suitable lock Hmit raising the rear endof the upper tray for displaying means. This is true of tray'30 in FIG. 6, tray 130 in articles on its bottom portion while the trays remain'f rmly l FIGS. 12 or '14, tray 330 in FIG. 23, and tray 530 in. interlocked by'this pivot means. I 2. I i e e k lock means includes P r- Third, trays 30, 130, 330, and 534 are adapted t be tiGIlS 3, 535 and 53C in FIGS- 2 and tilted as a group in.tiered position, as shown in FIG." 34, portions 151, 155, 154 and155a in FIGS. 7, 8, 9, l2, 13 for display purposesJjjThen, their interlocked detent eleand 14; portions 353,- 3560, 356 356d, 3585 and .ments and barlelements will prevent eachupper tray 358d in FIGS. 20:23; and portions558e, 553e, 558d, 5525s, .30 from sliding forwardly on the lower tray by gravity as lpng 556d, 556e, 556 5563 and 556k in FIGS.'29-34. as the trays are nottilted too/much. These elements h ori- In each'ofthe four trayforms illustrated, the upper 'zontally extend transversely to nesting insertionjdirecand lower tierin'g support portions on like trays mutually ,tion N, andinclude elements 58a, 70 and 71in FIGS, 1, engage, hold and support an upper like tray firmly and 2 and 6; elements 154!) and'155a in FIGS. 7, 8, 12andl4; evenly in traysupporting tiered position with opposite sides elements 356e, 356d, 3561, 358d and 353, in FIGS,;23 42 and 43, 142 and 143 242 and 243, 342 and 343, or and 24; and elements 553, 556i and 556g in FIGS.. 29, 51 543 in vertical alignment with the open ends 32and 34. A plurality, of some of these elements, spaced 34, 134, 223, 334 or 534 facing iii-suitable directions for along tiering directioniT is. provided so that the tiered "display and access purposes. 1 This tiered position may trays may. beso located either in vertical'alignment or in either have theadditional horizontal perimeter opposite 40 vertically stepped alignment, as earlier described. In each sides in vertical alignment, as shown by sides 44 and 45 of these alignments, the elements will be interlocked to in FIG 5,144'andil45 in FIG. l2, 244 and 245 on the prevent the upper tray from sliding forwardly on the lower upper two tray s in FIGJlS, 344 and 345 in FIG. 23, or tray by gravity ,in any, reasonable tilted position as 544 and 545 in FIG. 32; orin vertically stepped alignshown in FIG. 34. -ment, asshown byopposite sides 44 and 45 in FIG. 6, 45 Fourth, trays 530.have-one or more suitable retainers opposite sides1 44 and 145 in FIG; 14, or opposite sides 561 for preventing articles on bottom portion 531 of a S44 and 545 in FIG. 34 depending upon which group of tilted tray, such asshown in FIGS. 32 and 34 from falling upper and lower support portions are. mutually engaged. by gravity out of the open side when the end of the tray Open from side portions 34, 134,234, 334 and 534 in opposite said open side is, raised for display purposes. like trays-may'facethe same direction as illustrated in the Here, retainers 561 extend across both front openside drawing'sfordisplayingthe article supported on the bottom 534 and rear open. side 535, and extend above bottom portions with these open sides either in vertical relationportion 531 to provide their retaining action. Hence, they ;ship,; as shown in EI GS; Sand l2, th e upper two trays of will holdthe articles within the tilted tray in any event, FIG. 18, FIG.'23 orF I G. 32; or may be-in stepped relawhether side 534 or, side 535 is lowermost after tilting. tionship; as shown in FIGS. 6 14 or 34. Also if desired Fifth, trays33t) and 530 in their respective tiered posiin each of the trays illustrated, the upper trayrnay be .tions in F563. .23 and ,32v transmit the load from the reversed 180 degrees in a :horizontal plane with respect upper tray to the lower tray through the respective downto the lower tray and then placed in timing relationship wardly opening hooks or detents 358d and 558d, two in on top of the lower tray sothat the open end side 34, 134, number on each tray with one located contiguous to each 234, 334 or 534 in vertically arranged like trays will 59 of the opposite horizontal boundaries of the open side. face in-oppo'site directions in FIGS. 5 and 6, FIGS. 12 it has been found that trays with this construction may ;and 14,'and-the upper two traysof FIG. 18, FIG. 23 and be weak at this load transmission zone if the support bars, BIG. 32. such as cross bars 553, are provided on the bottom of a In the tiered position,- manyof the tray forms have the receptacleonly to the left of detent 553a andrear- -"additional advantages. First; the top sides of trays 130, wardly from the-open front side 534 thereof, as shown in -33t3and 530 are prevented from springing laterally. Each FIG. 37 for example. Therefore, suitable reinforcing "'tray has toplockmeans and bottom lock means locate means has been provided in tray 330 in FIG. 20 and trays respectively at the top (rigid with the top of the side 539 in FIGS. 32 and 36 contiguous to these detents, and portions) and bottom of each tray, and dimensioned so rigid with some of the tray portions, for strengthening the that the bottom lock'means of'one traystraddles the top 7 trays in their tiered relationship contiguous to open sides lock means of an adjacent lower like tray in tiered rela- 334 and 534. This reinforcing means takes two different tionship to prevent, asa rigid brace at both the front and forms. One form includes a vertically extending con- -rear'ends ofeach tray- (at each of the four corners), necting bar 570 in FIG. 36, one for each detent 558d i lateral springing-ofthe. tops or upper edges of the side in FIG. 29, welded at its upper end to bar portion 554a portions oneach lower tray. Note that portions 151 and at its lowerend to the top of detent 558d. A second 

